Last updated on February 28th, 2026
Looking for the best things to do during fall in San Diego?
With cooler but still warm temperatures, clear skies, and a wide variety of seasonal events, the fall season is a wonderful time to explore San Diego. (In reality, there is no bad time to visit!)
I’ve lived in Southern California for more than 20 years and spent lots of time exploring all the fun attractions in San Diego with my family. If you are looking for the best things to do during fall in San Diego, I’ve got the full scoop right here, plus a complete rundown of all the events happening in the San Diego area during fall 2025.
San Diego Fall Activities
San Diego in fall offers a perfect blend of sunshine, cool breezes, and festive fun. From outdoor adventures to Halloween thrills, here are the top things to do during fall in San Diego that you can enjoy with kids.
1. Go Apple Picking in Julian
Julian, a historic mountain town just an hour or so east of downtown, makes a perfect fall day trip from San Diego. From early September through October, it’s where you want to go for a true autumn experience (think apple orchards and fall colors) not found many places in California!
You can go apple picking at a number of different orchards and enjoy the cool mountain air. Some of the best orchards for families include:
- Volcan Valley Apple Farm: One of the largest U-pick orchards, known for its wide paths and easy access for kids.
- Crosscut Farm and Orchard: Mountain orchard retreat where you can pick apples, sip cider, and shop for crafts.
- Julian Farm and Orchard: Family-friendly farm offers a variety of fun activities for all ages, including a petting zoo, tractor-pulled hay rides, and yard games.
After filling your basket with apples, head into Julian’s quaint downtown to browse charming shops, explore local history, or enjoy a slice of the town’s famous homemade pie. The Julian Pie Company is one of the most popular shops and there is always a long line of people waiting to buy apple pies, but we’ve found that almost everywhere in town is just as good!
► Travel Insight
Fall is the perfect time of year to experience Julian, which makes it also the most crowded. Get there early to find parking and avoid crowds. I also recommend choosing where you want to have lunch in advance (even that morning when you first arrive) and make reservations so you don’t have to wait for a table.
Fall Highlight: Apple season runs from early September through October, making fall the peak time to visit for fresh picking and homemade pie. You’ll also get to experience some lovely fall foliage, which is rare in Southern California.
2. Explore Balboa Park & Its Attractions
Balboa Park is a year-round favorite, but fall brings extra perks. In October, many museums offer free admission for kids as part of Kids Free San Diego – more on that below! Fall is also a great time to explore the museums if you happen to be visiting on a day when the weather gets a little chilly or rainy. There are so many awesome museums, including many the whole family can enjoy.
Some of our favorite family-friendly museums in Balboa Park include the San Diego Natural History Museum, Fleet Science Center, and Model Railroad Museum. The San Diego History Museum is small but has some great exhibits, and it’s free enter for everyone year-round!
The Balboa Park International Cottages, where you can experience the culture and authentic tastes of nearly three dozen countries from around the globe, is also a fun spot to explore, as is the totally free Botanical Building.
Don’t miss the Japanese Friendship Garden when visiting San Diego in the fall, where Japanese maples add a rare splash of fall color near downtown San Diego.
Fall Highlight: Kids Free admission in October makes exploring Balboa Park’s museums and gardens even more fun (and affordable).
3. Pick Pumpkins at Bates Nut Farm
If you have kids, nothing says fall like a trip to a pumpkin patch. Bates Nut Farm – a longtime favorite of San Diego locals – offers a classic pumpkin patch experience with tractor rides, straw mazes, hay rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, and thousands of pumpkins ready to pick. It is a fun event for the whole family.
From September 18 through October 31, 2025, the Pumpkin Patch is open daily, and on weekends you can enjoy live music, food vendors, and fall-themed games.
This year, the farm’s Fall Friday Festival will take place on October 11, 18, and 25 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. It includes all the activities above, plus live music, a costume contest and parade, and family-friendly activities.
Fall Highlight: The Pumpkin Patch runs through October, with special weekend events and live entertainment.
4. San Diego Zoo & Safari Park
Both the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park shine in fall. Cooler temperatures make the animals more active, and that always make your visit more fun. With fewer crowds and cooler temperatures, fall is ideal for walking the lush paths, watching animals up close, and even riding the Skyfari tram across the treetops.
Fall Highlight: Special events happening at both parks during the autumn season.
5. Catch a Fall Sunset
Fall is known for having some of the most vivid sunsets of the year, One of our favorite spots to catch a beautiful fall sunset is La Jolla Cove. Spread out a blanket on the grass above the cliffs or perch on the rocks as the sky erupts in hues of orange, pink, and purple. Stay a little longer to watch sea lions play below and enjoy an ice cream or cup of cocoa from a nearby café.
But if you can’t make it to La Jolla, no worries! Anywhere along the coast can be spectacular. Last October we caught an absolutely beautiful sunset going down at Mission Beach.
Fall Highlight: Autumn skies often bring dramatic sunset colors thanks to lower humidity and fewer coastal clouds.
6. Take a Harbor Cruise
Fall is a great time of year to take a cruise on San Diego Bay. Set sail from the Embarcadero on a scenic harbor cruise that showcases the city’s stunning skyline, famous landmarks, and local marine life.
Kids will love spotting sea lions lounging on buoys, while adults enjoy guided narration and ocean breezes. Several companies offer family-friendly tours that are about one to two hours long.
Fall Highlight: Fall weather means calmer waters and crystal-clear skies, perfect conditions for sightseeing from the bay.
► Interested in booking a boat tour? We’ve rounded up the Best San Diego Harbor Cruises for Families to help you decide which one is right for you.
7. Hike Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Located right on the coast, Torrey Pines State Preserve is one of the most popular and family-friendly hikes in San Diego County. With its rugged cliffs, views of the Pacific Ocean, and rare Torrey pine trees found only in this area, Torrey Pines has so much to offer if you are looking for an outdoor adventure. Its easy-to-moderate hiking trails are perfect for families.
Fall Highlight: Cooler temperatures make it ideal for family hikes, plus during fall you can often spot migrating birds and calm surf below.
8. Stroll Through Coronado
While Coronado is renowned for its year-round beauty, fall brings a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere perfect for exploring. There are so many fun things to do in Coronado! Enjoy time on the beach, visit the historic Hotel del Coronado, bike around the island, or enjoy relaxed seaside dining.
The island’s mild fall weather and fewer crowds make it an ideal autumn getaway.
Fall Highlight: Coronado’s serene ambiance and pleasant temperatures during fall provide a peaceful retreat with scenic views and charming streets to explore.
9. Visit Seaport Village
Seaport Village San Diego is a 14-acre waterfront shopping, dining, and entertainment destination, home to more than 50 unique shops and restaurants. Seaport Village comes alive in the fall with festive decor, live music, themed weekends, and Halloween fun for all ages.
Kids can enjoy crafts, balloon artists, and strolling entertainers, while parents explore artisan shops or grab a bite at one of the many seaside restaurants with sunset views.
Fall Highlight: Free events throughout the fall and sunset strolls by the bay.
10. Check out Haunted Attractions in San Diego
If Halloween scares are your thing, here are some ideas of to scare your pants off!
- The Haunted Trail at Balboa Park: This mile-long outdoor trail through dark pines and oaks is designed for older kids, teens, and adults who want spine-tingling scares.
- Haunted San Diego Ghost Tour: Explore San Diego’s haunted history in both the Gaslamp Quarter and Old Town areas of San Diego, with access into several buildings.
- The Whaley House Museum: Known as one of the most haunted houses in America, the Whaley House offers special tours and paranormal experiences throughout October.
- San Diego Ghosts & Gravestones Tour: A nighttime trolley tour that will take you to Pioneer Park, El Campo Santo Cemetery, and the Whaley House courtyard where you’ll learn about some of San Diego’s most famous haunts.
► Be sure to check out all these chilling San Diego Ghost Tours.
Fall Events & Festivals
We’ve talked about some of San Diego’s top fall activities you can enjoy as a family, now here are some special events happening this time of year you won’t want to miss.
Julian Apple Days Festival
While you can enjoy apple picking any time, you can only experience the Apple Days Festival two days of the year. Since 1909, this celebration of the apple harvest season invites everyone for artistic apple displays, gold panning demos, apple cider, kids’ activities, live entertainment, and more. Late September and early October are the height of apple season! The Julian Apple Days Festival is scheduled for October 4-5, 2025.
LEGOLAND Brick-or-Treat
Every Saturday in October, LEGOLAND California becomes a Halloween wonderland with its Brick-or-Treat Monster Party. Kids can wear costumes, trick-or-treat throughout the park, dance with monsters, enjoy LEGO character meet-and-greets, and enjoy special entertainment. It’s fun with just the right amount of spooky for younger children.
Howl-O-Scream
Where SeaWorld’s Spooktacular is family-friendly, Howl-O-Scream is only for adults or if you are visiting San Diego with teens.
Howl-O-Scream is a separately ticketed event at SeaWorld San Diego, with numerous haunted houses and scare zones, thrill rides, special bars and food offerings, and even a special show. Howl-O-Scream takes place on select dates between September 12 and November 1.
SeaWorld San Diego’s Halloween Spooktacular
From early September through early November, SeaWorld’s Spooktacular offers pirate-themed trick-or-treating, pumpkin patches, shows, and marine life encounters — all included with park admission.
The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park
The Haunted Trail is a stroll through the park you will never forget. Located at Balboa Park, this San Diego fall event combines a 3,500 sq. ft. eXperiment Maze with a dense, mile-long Haunted Trail winding through shadowy pines and oaks in the park. The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park will be open nightly from September 26 through November 1, 2025.
HalGLOWeen at San Diego Zoo
While there are many scary events happening around Halloween, this one is a totally family-friendly event perfect even for little kids!
Illuminate the spooky nights with Halloween-themed light-up displays and costumes at HalGLOWeen at the San Diego Zoo. When the sun goes down, the monsters come out to play with music performances by the Skeleton Band, acrobats by The Spiders’ W.E.B., fun variety shows, and a kids’ Halloween dance party.
San Diego Safari Park Autumn Festival
Now is your chance to interact with the San Diego Safari Park wildlife in a new way this fall. The park features special events throughout the month where you can chat with Robert the Zebra, learn about your favorite animals from Safari Parker, and even join in a dance jamboree with scarecrows.
Celebrate Día de los Muertos in Old Town
The dead come to life once more for the annual Old Town Dia de los Muertos celebration. The event honors loved ones who have passed with color, culture, and tradition.
Old Town San Diego in the fall is adorned with brightly colored and decorated altars (ofrendas), marigolds, candles, and painted sugar skulls. Families can enjoy live music, traditional dance performances, face painting, and cultural crafts and exhibits throughout the weekend. This is one of Southern California’s most authentic and family-friendly Día de los Muertos celebrations, held in the heart of Old Town.
► Travel Insight
If you wait until later in the day or evening to arrive, parking will be absolutely impossible, and you’ll waste time sitting in gridlock, too. (Unfortunately, I speak from experience on this!) If you are planning to celebrate Día de los Muertos in Old Town, get there early. Better yet, consider using San Diego’s public transportation system; the trolley specifically is a great choice.
Annual Pacific Beachfest
The only thing better than the beach is a beach fall festival! Drop by Pacific Beachfest to catch live music performances on three stages while enjoying food, drinks, and more right on the sand. And the best part is that it’s FREE! Pacific Beachfest will take place October 4, 2025.
San Diego Bay Food + Wine Festival
The San Diego Bay Food + Wine Festival is a week-long celebration of food and wine, set on the scenic Embarcadero Marina in Downtown San Diego. Meet local winemakers, taste dishes from renowned chefs, and enjoy activities – even some kid-friendly ones – like cooking classes and seminars. The event will take place in November.
Beachside Fall Festival at Belmont Park
As one of many free things to do in San Diego with kids, Belmont Park at Mission Beach is always free to enter and walk around. But in the fall, there’s even more great reasons to visit.
Belmont Park’s Beachside Fall Festival takes place every weekend in September and October. In addition to park’s iconic amusement park rides, there will be cool displays, live music, and other fun, fall-themed activities. Plus, if you visit in October kids ride free all month long with the purchase of an adult wristband.
How to Save on Your San Diego Vacation
There are a variety of ways to save money on hotels and tickets to San Diego’s many theme parks and attractions – including AAA discounts, military or student discounts, and CityPASS San Diego.
I highly recommend CityPASS when visiting San Diego, as you can bundle and save up to 45% on admission to the top theme parks and attractions in San Diego. Choose either SeaWorld San Diego or LEGOLAND and then add three other attractions of your choice, with options including the San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum, Old Town Trolley Tours, and more! It’s a great way to save money and makes planning your itinerary easy.
San Diego Fall Weather
San Diego enjoys mild and pleasant weather throughout the autumn months. September typically sees daytime highs around 75°F (24°C), while October and November cool down slightly to the mid-60s°F (18°C).
This comfortable climate makes it perfect for outdoor activities, beach days, and exploring the city’s many attractions.
Dressing in layers in key if you are visiting San Diego in the fall. Pack shorts and t-shirts for the day, with sweaters or jackets for the evenings.
Kids Free October: A Month of Family Savings
Every October, San Diego gifts parents with an amazing treat: Kids Free San Diego!
Throughout the month, children 12 and under receive free admission to over 50 museums, attractions, and restaurants when accompanied by a paying adult. This includes popular spots like the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, USS Midway Museum, and Belmont Park.
Additionally, many hotels and restaurants offer special deals, such as free meals for kids or discounted rates for families.
How to Save on Your San Diego Vacation
There are a variety of ways to save money on hotels and tickets to San Diego’s many theme parks and attractions – including AAA discounts, military or student discounts, and bundling tickets through CityPASS San Diego. I recommend booking tickets and hotel packages through authorized seller and our trusted partner, Get Away Today. Get Away Today has discount tickets to many area attractions, and they offer a variety of ticket types to suit any budget.
Use discount code CFT10 to get an additional $10 off any vacation package when you book your hotel and two or more tickets through Get Away Today.
Final Thoughts: San Diego in the Fall
As summer fades and the crisp autumn air settles in, San Diego transforms into a quieter season.
Fall in San Diego offers the perfect mix of warm weather and festive fall activities, all with smaller crowds and lower prices than what you will typically see in the summer. Whether you’re picking apples in Julian, catching a Pacific sunset, or trick-or-treating at the theme parks, there’s no shortage of autumn fun for families.
Save These San Diego Fall Activities for Later!
Thinking about visiting San Diego in the fall? Pin the image below for future reference.
